11.17.14: Concentrating on Walking

Dear Friends and Family,

I've learned that when I'm walking I need to focus on walking. I shouldn't be thinking about things I need to get done or things I've gotten done or decisions I need to make or decisions I've made or anything, really, because when I do, that's when I sprain my ankle like I did on Friday. And, spraining my ankle puts a big damper on everything because everything is more difficult when you're less mobile.

Focus on walking, mouse.

The weekend? Well, like last weekend we played at home. I'm not sure this is something I want to become a long term trend, but for a couple of weekends it's a good way for P to play with the toys we have at home and for us to spend time interacting with her. It's also a good way to save money. We're getting ready for the holidays.

P's been building like mad with her Legos. She's great at following all of the instructions which come with a set. But, for P, that's only the starting point. Then she builds on top of the set with random pieces we have lying around. It's the best of both worlds, being able to follow directions and being able to use creativity. It's fun having time to do this. I'm glad we were able to foster a love of play in P.

And our budget? We're right where we need to be heading into the second half of November. We've got $13 for the day which includes some coffee concoction when I meet some parents tonight to discuss the year book and one $3 bus ride to drop off P this morning and maybe a treat for P. Assuming Mr. mouse packs lunch, we'll be fine for the day. In a prior world, I would have been appalled at $13 but that's what budgeting has taught us. In a prior world, we could have easily spent more than $13 for the day. Let's see: $2 treat for P, $3 bus ride, $10 lunch for me, $10 lunch for Mr. mouse, $3 in snacks for Mr. mouse, $5 at Starbucks, $12 parking, $45 total for the day. And, we wouldn't have thought twice about it. I'm glad we're on a budget. It's been a valuable lesson.

Today's shaping up to be a good day. I already checked on our library books and submitted P's application for Saturday school. I might actually try to tackle parts of the house today.

1. pack school bag
2. drop off P
3. get ready for day
4. make bed
5. ***eat breakfast***
6. clean up house, until 11:30am
7. eat lunch
8. pack dance bag
9. prepare for yearbook meeting
10. clear through emails as time allows, back to 3/30 if possible
11. pick up P
12. go to dance class
13. go to yearbook meeting
14. relax and enjoy the rest of the day

It feels good.


Cheers!
mouse

Busy, Busy Friday

Dear Friends and Family,

Well, I got enough done on my to do list to make the upcoming week feel doable. And, that my friends is saying a lot. So, I just need to keep on top of my things between now and Sunday.

But, it's still a busy day for mouse. That's okay. I'm okay with busy.

1. get ready for day
2. dress P for in school colors
3. ***eat breakfast***
4. drop off P
5. go to library, begin shelving books
6. go to yearbook training
7. return to library, finish shelving books
8. check P's school milk
9. help at lunch
10. come home
11. eat lunch
12. do taxes
13. catch up on emails, leave house by 3pm
14. pack Mom's Night supplies, budget: $20 for evening
15. drive to suburbs
16. enjoy the evening

So, if I get through the day the weekend looks great. Hooray for mouse.


Cheers!
mouse

Happy Family

Dear Friends and Family,

Mr. mouse is home this morning and it feels so good having help getting P ready for school. I have a doctor's appointment I need to get ready for in two minutes, so Mr. mouse has kid prep and drop off. And, I have the luxury of running some errands before tackling my day. My day, you say? It's a great day!

1. get ready for day
2. make bed
3. doctor's appointment
4. return boots
5. return birthday gift
6. ***eat breakfast***
7. invoicing
8. go through American Express bill
9. finish dating photos
10. eat lunch
11. pick up P
12. enjoy the afternoon

Hope your day is as happy as mine. Tomorrow is a killer day so I may as well enjoy today.


Cheers!
mouse

Happy Hump Day, mouse Catch Up Day

Dear Friends and Family,

Nope. I didn't get what I wanted to get done yesterday. And, I'm not surprised. That's okay. I still ate breakfast.

After breakfast I took on a large project of re-dating photos. We have photos from P's toddler year in school and the dates on them were clearly wrong so I began going through them as only an OCD mouse can and began correcting them. That in and of itself would have consumed my day.

But, then, I got a phone call from a friend from the seventh grade. I had a giant crush on him in the seventh grade. He's going through some really rough times. And he wanted to talk. So I listened. And before I knew it, it was time for pick up. I want to help, but I'm not sure what I can do.

In a way our worlds are so different. We talked about meeting for lunch over Christmas. He kept asking if Mr. mouse would mind. I can't imagine a world where Mr. mouse minds if I'm meeting a male friend for lunch. That's just not the world we live in. I have so many male friends. We do things together all of the time. Mr. mouse doesn't mind. And, if he does, that's his problem, not mine. But, he doesn't mind so it's not an issue. That's just the world we live in. Mr. mouse is my life partner not my jail warden.

I want to help, but I'm not sure he wants my help. Perhaps all he needs is someone to listen.

So, it's Wednesday and it's mouse catch up day.

1. pack P's school bag
2. wake P
3. dress P
4. feed P breakfast
5. get ready for day
6. brush P's teeth
7. take P to school
8. come home
9. ***eat breakfast***
10. pack P's swim bag
11. pack my bag
12. catch up on emails
13. work on photo project until 10am
14. get gas, budget: $40
15. get mail
16. meet dear friend E for lunch, budget: $18
17. pick P up from school
18. call my mom
19. take P to swim class
20. catch up on facebook if P naps
21. catch up on reading if P naps
22. feed P dinner
23. bathe P
24. read to P
25. put P to bed
26. recap budget from day
27. go to sleep

If I can finish the photo project today I'll be happy. I've finished most of the easy to dos on my list. I'm getting to the ones that take time and each one is an investment. It's okay. It's worth it. Sooner or later I'll tame my list again.


Cheers!
mouse

Rainy Day Blues

Dear Friends and Family,

Not only is it getting cold tonight, but it's grey and rainy today. That combined with daylight savings changes means I need to begin turning on my SAD radar - more lights on in the house, more looking out the window on the bus, more consciously enjoying the sunshine when I can find it. I do okay once I realize what's going on. And, I've been trying to enjoy every ounce of fall before winter sets in. I'll make it. I always do.

Today? Well, it's not a glamorous day. But, I'm glad I've been plowing through the to do tasks.

1. ***eat breakfast***
2. go through work mail
3. go through emails
4. work on photo dating
5. order acrylic holders
6. eat lunch
7. get motivated to do stuff around the house
8. pick up P
9. enjoy the afternoon
10. eat dinner
11. have cupcakes
12. enjoy the evening
13. measure P
14. read with P
15. go to bed

It'll be fun.


Cheers!
mouse

11.10.14: Birthday Weekend

Dear Friends and Family,

It was Mr. mouse's birthday this past weekend. And, as a special treat, we took him out to celebrate. It was also P's half birthday and we were celebrating a new job for a close friend. So, lots of happiness in the air.

What else did we do over the weekend? P had class Saturday morning. We took fall pictures Saturday afternoon. The whole family napped. Then, we went to family swim Saturday night. P got some good time in the pool working on her breaststroke kick.

Sunday, we had church followed by lunch. Then, I took our friend eyeglass shopping and for a haircut. We ate cupcakes. We ate dinner. We folded laundry. It was time for bed. And, that was our weekend.

My day today? Why I'm glad you asked!

1. get ready for day
2. make bed
3. ***eat breakfast***
4. reconcile quick books
5. go to bank
6. buy birthday present
7. check soap ingredients
8. eat lunch
9. pack dance bag
10. clean up house, as time allows
11. pick up P
12. go to dance class
13. enjoy the rest of the day

Not as hectic as last week. And, for that, I am grateful.


Cheers!
mouse

Semi-Successful Day Yesterday

Dear Friends and Family,

I was cruising on my to do list until I hit a pothole. I ended up in an hour long discussion with my employee about a client and I didn't get anything done after that until I had pick up. I had planned on working on the photos. Then, I forgot my reading material so I couldn't do that either. But, on a positive note, Mr. mouse's dinner got cancelled so my evening was a lot easier than I originally anticipated.

Today? Well.

1. start water for coffee
2. complete expense reports
3. reconcile checks
4. get ready for day
5. ***eat breakfast***
6. 9am client visit
7. come up with plans for tomorrow's play date
8. come up with questions for the teacher conference
9. send photo book email
10. send two referral emails
11. upload weekend photos
12. upload Halloween photos
13. eat lunch
14. write one new client email
15. pick up groceries: dinner and milk
16. catch up on emails in general
17. 3:15pm teacher conference
18. pick up P
19. go to book fair with P

Not as long a list as yesterday, but each task on this list takes longer. On the other hand, I shouldn't have as many distractions today.


Cheers!
mouse

Another Day in the Life of Mouse

Dear Friends and Family,

It was super productive having my list yesterday so I think I'll make another one for today which promises to be a monster of a day.

1. get ready for day
2. write housekeeper
3. pick books for book drive
4. pack my bag (books, lunch, P's snacks, reading material)
5. pack P's school bag
6. pack P's swim bag
7. ***eat breakfast***
8. wake P
9. dress P
10. feed P breakfast
11. brush P's teeth
12. take P to school
13. drop off books at book drive
14. go to book fair, budget: $40
15. come home
16. get gas, budget: $35
17. get mail
18. come home, if time allows
19. eat lunch, now or when P is napping
20. pick P up from school
21. take P to swim class
22. catch up on facebook
23. catch up on reading
24. feed P dinner
25. bathe P
26. read to P
27. put P to bed
28. upload photos from weekend for friends
29. recap budget for day

Phew. That's my day today. Wish me luck!


Cheers!
mouse

Odds and Ends Day

Dear Friends and Family,

It's a day of odds and ends. Let me see if I can organize it into a plan of action. There's payroll, download voting research, vote, check credit card statement, eat breakfast, shower, pick up pumpkin, pick up milk, bring milk to school, return library book, delete photos from shared folder, write parents about Friday play date, post photos from play date, and dance registration. Okay. Now, let's try to organize this into a plan:

1. write parents about Friday play date
2. shower
3. ***eat breakfast***
4. delete photos from shared folder
5. post photos from play date
6. check credit card statement
7. run payroll
8. download voting research
9. call studio for dance registration
10. vote
11. return library book
12. pick up milk
13. eat lunch
14. fold laundry, as time allows
15. pick up P
16. bring milk to school
17. return library book - school library
18. pick up pumpkin

Yep. That's my day today.


Cheers!
mouse

11.03.14: 11:44am and Blogging

Dear Friends and Family,

I think I'm about 5 hours behind schedule. But, I'll manage for the day, I think.

We got in super late last night and then Mr. mouse and I took some time to get ourselves set up for the week before going to bed. So, I got up late and it cascaded from there. Still, I plan on eating breakfast at some point today since that's my one accomplishment for the day.

Why did we get in so late last night? Well, we were in Austin over the weekend at the F1 race. As usual, we had a great time catching up with friends in town. And, the weather for the race could not have been better. It's a quick trip, but one that I'm glad we made.


Cheers!
mouse

Breakfast Eating Mouse

Dear Friends and Family,

The furnace is broken, again. We need to get P ready for Halloween. We need to get ready for P's Halloween parade. Let Rome burn. I will eat breakfast this morning.


Cheers!
mouse

PS: If Mr. mouse does not get this furnace figured out I will have the grumpiest winter possible.

Who Am I?

Dear Friends and Family,

For years my work defined me. And, while not the healthiest, it's not uncommon among a certain subset of working women. And, now, sometimes I wonder who I am.

I was just thinking about my strengths... achiever, relator, ideation, strategy, activator... That's me.

I think I will focus on achiever and start with something really small. Breakfast. At 9am every day. That's enough time for me to get home from drop-off. It's enough time for me to wake up and get my rear in gear. Breakfast. That'll be my achievement for the day.

I'll try that for the month of November and see if I'm in a better place. I'll start more dishes spinning. But for now, that'll be my second dish. My first is my budget. My second is breakfast. Wish me luck.

Ready. Set. Go.


Cheers!
mouse

End of October Financials

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Wednesday and we have two more days to go until the end of the month. And, last night, Mr. mouse decided to go grocery shopping. Yep. So, we're punting on dry cleaning today, just as a matter of principle. I know. We sound destitute. But, we're not.

We still saved towards retirement this month. And we still saved money for school. We bought three new pairs of sneakers and renewed a museum membership.

I know where our biggest budget hole is. Each month I'm spending $400 on my new business. Without that we'd be fine. But with that each penny counts. Well, I guess for now I'll continue to spend the money and figure out a way to make it work.

I'm also hoping to reassess our tax withholding amount next year. I know we can reduce it since I'm not generating income at the moment, but I don't know how much I can reduce it by. So once we do our taxes, we can figure that out as well. That will be nice.

Well, I guess for now I'll continue with my one and only focus which is wrangling this budget into shape. I'll be happy once I can focus on other stuff as well.


Cheers!
mouse

10.28.14: Time to Step Back

Dear Friends and Family,

We had a fun weekend. Saturday, P went to class. We got haircuts. We went to a birthday party. Sunday, we went to church. We had lunch at home celebrating a friend's new job. We went on a play date with one of P's best friends. We blissfully enjoyed the amazing seventy degree weather Mother Nature provided.

And, now, it's Tuesday and I realize I need a new Top 3. There was a pile of stuff I wanted to accomplish when P went back to school. And, I haven't made a lot of progress on any of it. I think I need to figure out what I need to focus on.

#1: The Budget

We've made a lot of progress here. In fact, after much measuring, I'm comfortable adding $100 a month to our budget. November and December won't be easy with the holidays, but I'm eager to continue to try and make progress on this front.

#2: I Don't Know

This is the problem. Outside of my budget, I feel like I'm wandering aimlessly through the day until P comes home. I feel like I need more focus. Perhaps I'll go work on the kitchen until inspiration strikes.


Cheers!
mouse

Ambitious Week Update

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Friday. And, since we had swim on Wednesday, we get to come home after dance class. Woot!

I've continued to make progress, but I'm slowly petering out on my list. I want to try and get four to eight more things crossed off of my list, but I don't think that's realistic - four, maybe, but eight definitely not.

Mr. mouse and I can finalize a photo book. We have a free coupon that expires next Friday. That can be one.

I can check on soap ingredients. That can be two.

I can write an email I have been putting off. That can be three.

I can clear through my inbox. That can be four.

I don't think I can do much more beyond that. Even that looks ambitious for today. Sad but true since I only have one free hour today between drop off and pick up.


Cheers!
mouse

PS: I think I sprained my ankle on Wednesday, October 22. I know I sprained in sometime this week. October 22 is my best guess.

Ambitious Week

Dear Friends and Family,

After an abysmal week last week, I'm trying to make up lost ground this week. So far, I've gotten 8 things crossed off my to do list. I'm going to try for another 4 today. We'll continue plugging away at it and see how the week ends.

Today, I've got lunch with a girlfriend from old work. And, after school P has her new swim class. It's not the most convenient time. But, we'll have to figure out a way to make it work since she's graduated to a new level. Knowing our luck, this is the class she plateaus at and we need to figure out a way to make this time slot work. I'm okay with that. She's made such good progress until now. If she plateaus, she plateaus, and we'll figure out a way to make it work.

Today, we're going to try the snack and nap in car routine. We'll see if it sticks. Wish me luck.


Cheers!
mouse

10.20.14: Fall Play Time

Dear Friends and Family,

I'll focus on the positives because if I think through the negatives I'll probably get myself in trouble.

On the positives, we had a beautiful fall weekend.

Saturday, we took P to class. Then we spent the day building Legos and decorating P's pumpkin. She brought it into school today.

Sunday, we went to church. Then we spent the day outside with friends enjoying the harvest festival. P's favorite activity was making the scarecrow. Mine was seeing a bee hive.

And, now it's Monday. Another positive? After being on a budget since July, I decided to raise our funds going forward by $100 a month. I know $100 a month doesn't sounds like a lot, but it's the equivalent of a small splurge each month. Speaking of small splurges, Mr. mouse got P a doll for her doll yesterday. I don't think P's playing with dolls much anymore, but it's cute and P likes it so I'm not complaining.


Cheers!
mouse

Addictions and Habits and How They Work

Dear Friends and Family,

I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but I think I'm not alone. I spend WAY too much unproductive time on the computer doing things that ultimately are a waste of time. I think I need to confine my time to the morning. Once my morning time is done, I need to walk away from my computer unless there's a specific purpose for being on it.

That means I can send an email to check on something, but I can't randomly checking Facebook or stocks. It means I can go through photos for a book I'm making but I can't read the news.

I think in a way it's easier to sometimes avoid the situation altogether than it is to limit consumption. I learned that lesson on Weight Watchers. It's easier to skip cake altogether than it is to have a bite and throw the rest away. I know other people learn the reverse lesson. It's easier for them to allow themselves the bite of cake. But, I've learned to recognize my addictions and skip them altogether.

So, for now I'm going to skip random time sinks on the computer by limiting my time on it to specific activities. I'll still get my free form time. But, after that time, it's time to move on. I think 8:30 seems like a reasonable time. Before 8:30 I can do whatever junk I want on the computer. After 8:30 I'm going to put the computer aside and focus.

I think I'll set up my phone to ring every day at 8:30 to remind me.


Cheers!
mouse

Day, Rearranged

Dear Friends and Family,

Last night P and I fell asleep at 8 o'clock together. Mr. mouse was on a trip and I had a busy day ahead of me on Thursday. I set the alarm clock for 4 o'clock and fell into a deep slumber snuggled next to P.

Then, at 1 o'clock in the morning I received a text. I vaguely ignored it and fell back into a doze. The phone buzzed again. I woke up. Now, normally, I don't sleep with the phone next to me. But, when Mr. mouse is traveling I use it as an alarm clock since I'm sleeping in P's room. I reached over to look at the next. It was Mr. mouse.

Back from dinner.

Yes. And, with those tragic words I found myself up. Instead of 8 hours of sleep, I lay in bed awake for 3 hours and find myself facing the day on 5 hours of sleep. Now, 5 hours of sleep from 11pm to 4am is hard, but 5 hours of sleep from 8pm to 1am is walking zombie mouse.

I couldn't have been more mad. This is the second time it's happened. And, I let Mr. mouse have an earful.

Now, I'm faced with some choices. Do I caffeine up and power through the day? Or do I plow through drop off and try to get some sleep? If it were any normal day the choice would be obvious. But, there's a coffee I'll need to bail on. And, there's no guarantee I'll get sleep because today is the day my housekeeper/personal assistant comes over.

Livid. How did I go from a promised night of 8 hours sleep to this? Yes, a text from Mr. mouse that stated, "back from dinner." That's how. In a former life, when Mr. mouse traveled, P and I slept on the airbed in my bedroom. The phone was downstairs. Mr. mouse could text at will and didn't need to worry about waking me.

But now that I sleep in P's room and the phone is inches from my head, texts from Mr. mouse have the potential to absolutely RUIN my night and the following day. Since it's happened twice now I've forbidden Mr. mouse to text me.

The twisted thing about all of this is if I had known I was going to skip the coffee and just try to plow through drop off, I would have tried to fall back asleep when 3 o'clock rolled around and I started getting tired again. But, since I thought I needed to get up and shower and get ready before drop off, I got out of bed.

Argh! There's no good answer. At least there's no good answer when you get woken up at 1 o'clock, roll in bed for 2 hours trying to fall back asleep and then morph into angry, tired, cold mouse. Hopefully the day turns around because it's not off to the best start.


Cheers!
mouse

Mom of the Year

Dear Friends and Family,

I'll confess. This morning I had sharp words for P. She took an hour to eat breakfast and as a result she was almost late for school. I had to prompt her for every bite with a "food in mouth" reminder. Then, when the food had been in her mouth long enough I had to prompt her with a "chew and swallow" followed by another "food in mouth" reminder.

There's nothing less fun than being a food coach in the morning to a kid who's lost all sense of time. Well, we missed every conceivable bus. And, when we got in the car, I gave her a piece of my mind.

Then, I realized, she'd be in school for the day with those heavy words weighing her down. So, I told her I was sorry and asked why she took so long to eat. I'm not sure I got a good answer, but we agreed tomorrow morning I'd wake her early so we didn't run into this problem again.

I think she was in better spirits by the time we got to school. Mom of the Year. Yep.


Cheers!
mouse